Punjab governor brushes aside PML-Q assertions

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar on Sunday dispelled rumors that he was running Punjab’s affairs while denying intervention in the constituency of Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) lawmaker and Federal Minister for Housing and Works Tariq Bashir Cheema.

Sarwar added that he had good relations with Chaudhry brothers. He said, “I did not intervene [in administrative affairs of] Cheema’s constituency”, adding at the same time that he had supported a candidate of nearby area.

The video shows a meeting between Jehangir Tareen and Punjab Minister for Mines and Minerals Hafiz Ammar Yasir and PML-Q leaders Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Federal Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema. In the video, Cheema can be heard speaking to Tareen. “Sir, control Sarwar! He will not let your chief minister continue,” he tells Tareen in a candid manner.

Speaking to reporters over the matter later in the day, Punjab Assembly Speaker and PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi said Tariq Cheema was merely raising a reservation in an internal meeting between two coalition partners. “If we do not discuss issues in our homes, then where will we do it? If our member does not speak to us, then how will his reservations be addressed?” he argued. Elahi said Cheema had a longstanding concern regarding interference in matters related to his constituency. “This is what he raised with Jehangir Tareen,” he said.

“The objective of such meetings is often to raise concerns and resolve issues. PTI is our coalition partner and reservations are raised and issues are resolved on a routine basis between the partners,” he said. “You cannot stop anyone from interfering. But reservations can only be addressed if they are raised. This is common in every party and every coalition,” he added.

Speaking about the upcoming elections for vacant Senate seats, he said the PML-Q was supporting its coalition partner. “About the Senate elections, the entire PTI leadership is involved, and our party is fully supporting Imran Khan. We have supported them in the past and are supporting them in these elections as well,” he said.

The PML-Q leader said he has good relations with Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, and rejected rumours of there being any friction between members of the two parties. “We have a commitment with Imran Khan. We are moving forward with chief Minister Buzdar and supporting him and his party in every way,” he added.

Responding to a question over the video, Punjab Information Minister Fayyaz ul Hassan Chohan said the video and Cheema’s words were being taken ‘out of context’. “There are apprehensions and reservations which are always conveyed to the leadership, and that is what Tariq Cheema was doing during the meeting,” he said, adding that an unnecessary hype should not be created around the video clip.